Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-09-14
THE GREAT DEBATE.
MINERS OF THE HOUSE NAMED BY
THg sPRBKER.
Comments OF the Prtss on the Debate
Discussion in Commons Yester-
day-William O'Brien's
Prison Life.
IBy Apglo-Amorican cable to the Dispa,ch.I


Graham again attacked the upper
house for daring, as he said. to dictate
to the men elected by the people. The
Speaker demanded an apology from
Graham for this direct disregard for
bis authority. Graham in response
said : 81 regret this matter, but in
conscience / cannot apologize.
J he Speaker thereupon named him.
Graham assured the Speaker that he
had no intention of being rude to him,
but the Speaker interrupted him and
abruptly declined to accept a personal
apology.
After Mr.. Harrington had been called
to order and had made an angry reply
TO the Speakers warning the latter
with quiet dignity said "Mr. Har-
riDRton, l name you"
W. II. Smith, Government leader,
Immediately moved that Harrington be
suspended. The motion was greeted
with iroDical laughter by the Par
nehtes and cries OF Hear, Hear the
bookseller referring 10 Smiths
propnetOrship Of numerous book-stalls
III London). Harrington withdrew from
the House during the division on
smiths motion.
rREsS COMMENTS.
The Times. commenting on the de-
bate III the House of Commons last
night on the Governments course
in regard to Ireland, says The figure
cut by the separatist leaders does not
appear to have been found impressive by
tlCir own followers. The Opposition
was not more thoroughly beaten By
votes than by argument.
The St0ndord says It is relief to
know that the Opposition failed ridicu-
lousy to turn to factious uses the ca
lsmitousincident which in well-ordcred
minds could only excite feeling of the
deepest regret.
William Henry Smith, replying to a
question il the House OF Commons to-
day, said tho attention OF the Govern
mcnt had been called to a statement
contained in the Dublin IYcekig NctrS
TO the effect that it would continue to
publish the reports of meetings Of such
branches of the Irish National League
as the Government might order sup
pressed to show the futility Of the
Governments attacks on the league.
The paper, Mr.. Smith said, belonged
to the Lord Mayor Of Dublin, Il. ID.
Sullivan, who was also member Of
tie House OF Commons and justice Of
peace for Dublin. Nevertheless, if any
Of the threatened publications were
made the Government would tn G steps
10 vindicate the law. Cries Of " Hedr
Hear,
TEAs ONABLE ACCOMfODATIONS FOR
o'BEES.
John Philip Nolan, Homc-Rule mem
Der for North Galway, asked if it WIS
true that O'BliCn was confined in a cell
9x1 feet, and if Mr.. Ballour meant to
order reasonable accommodations for
the prisoner.
MIR. Balfour said he had no knowledge
respecting the nature of the cell. Of
course, he added, it was his desire that
O'Brien should be comfortably con
fined, and the prison rules provided
that untried prisoners should have rea-
sonable accommodations.
Mr. Nolan said he hoped the Govern
ment would relax the prison rules APP
plicable to political offenders in Ire
land, and especially urged a modifca-
ton of the degrading duties enforced
On common criminals.
John Dillon said it was manifest that
the Government had the power to in
fict personal punishment upon their
Ioliticat opponents, especially upon
members of the Irish party, who there
fore had the right 10 demand security
that they would not be treated like
pickrockets. His own experience as a
political prisoner in Ireland was that
HE food was meted on the starvation
s. stem in The Irish iails. If O'Brien
was confined in an ordinary cell it was
uuel, seeing that lie was in delicate
health.
He Dillon was convinced that the
people of England would not stand
continuance of the treatment the Gov
eminent gave political prisoners. II
the Government persisted in this course
they would arouse a storm of hate they
would find it difficult to quell.
Mr.. Balfour said he was unable to see
that the offences of persons arrested I'M
der the crimes act differed from offences
under the ordinary law. Any altera-
ton in the treatment Of prisoners
ought to be applied after due inquiry.
All prisoners should be treated alike
Regarding prison discipline, he had
difficulty in reconciling the statements
Low made with the language formerly
use I by Irish members to the effect
that if the crimes act we've enforced the
bulk of the prisoners put in jail under
It's provisions would be better off than
they were outside. He was unable
to conceive how Irish members could
make any distinction between the
prison treatment of persons under ar
rest for melting the people to crime
and Outrsges and that given to those
under arrest for committing crime and
outrages O'Brien had only himself to
thank for being now in custody. If he
had appeared in court at MitchelstOwn
to answer the summons commanding
bin to appear there and answer charges
against him, even if convicted, he
might have remained at large prior to
the adjudication OF an appeal. [Con-
seryative cheers.
John Morley QiberaD said the ac-
ton of the Irish members was due to
the nature of the exceptional law forced
on the people of their country, the
consequences of which the Government
had been amply warned of. In no for
eign country were political offenders
subjected to the harsh discipline APP
piled to political prisoners in Ireland.
Cries OF "Hear, Hear. What the
Government had already done showed
that it was their intention to rule Ire
land during the recess in the most rig
orous manner possible under the CO.
ercion act.
AN OFFICIAL INQUIRY WANTED.
He urged that the Government re-
consider their refusal TO grant an in
auiry into the conduct OF the police at
litchelstown. IL the Government
would not concede a committee of Par
lament 10 make the inquiry, it was at
least desirable that an official investi-
CATION should be made TO satisfy the
public mind. The Government ought
also 10 Issue special cautions 10 the DO